News Summary
The Providence Public School District grapples with investigations into staff misconduct at Lillian Feinstein Elementary and a recent cyberattack that resulted in a data breach. Reports detail unprofessional behavior from multiple staff members, including an arrest, while an anonymous group claims to have stolen sensitive data, demanding a ransom. Superintendent Montañez confirms unauthorized access and the district is enhancing cybersecurity measures. With over 12,000 individuals potentially affected, the community is focused on safety and future safeguards.
Providence, RI – The Providence Public School District is currently facing significant challenges as it investigates multiple incidents of staff misconduct at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, amid a recent cyberattack that resulted in a data breach exposing sensitive information.
Reports have surfaced regarding “unprofessional behavior” involving multiple staff members at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School. Most notably, Yaritza Martinez, a behavioral specialist, was arrested on charges of simple assault on September 5. Martinez is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on November 7. Additionally, a second staff member has been placed on leave due to alleged unprofessional behavior; however, the identity of this individual has not been disclosed.
In response to these incidents, Principal Maria Petrosinelli sent a letter to parents, reassuring them of the school’s commitment to the safety of its students. The principal’s communication reflects the district’s proactive approach to ensuring a secure environment for all children.
Compounding the issues at the school, an anonymous group known as Medusa claims to have stolen 201 gigabytes of data from the Providence Public School District’s network. The group has demanded a ransom of $1 million. Following the expiration of the ransom deadline, the group allegedly released sensitive information purportedly taken from the district.
Superintendent Javier Montañez has confirmed that unauthorized access to the school district’s network did occur and indicated that a comprehensive investigation is underway. The breach is believed to have taken place between August 30 and September 11, 2024, impacting the personal information of approximately 12,000 current and former employees.
Parents were alerted that the compromised data includes confidential information such as student names, addresses, and immunization records. This incident led to a temporary shutdown of the school district’s network on September 11, which also resulted in limited internet access for both students and staff members.
In light of the data breach, officials from the Providence Public School District have moved to enhance cybersecurity measures to prevent such incidents in the future. To mitigate potential risks for those affected, the district is offering free credit monitoring services to individuals whose information may have been compromised during the breach.
The Providence Public School District has been operating under state control since 2019, with oversight extended for an additional three years this past August. This situation has raised concerns over governance and accountability within the district, on top of the current issues surrounding staff conduct and cybersecurity.
Maribeth Calabro, president of the Providence Teachers Union, acknowledged the challenges faced by both teachers and students due to the loss of internet access caused by the cyber incident. Despite the difficulties, educators have managed to continue supporting students in their educational endeavors during this tumultuous period.
As the district conducts its investigations into the misconduct of staff members and works to address the ramifications of the cyberattack, the community remains focused on ensuring the safety and security of its students and staff members. Moving forward, stakeholders are hopeful for improved practices and measures to safeguard against future incidents.
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: Multiple Incidents of Staff Misconduct in Providence
- Wikipedia: Providence Public School District
- WPRI: Providence Public Schools Confirm Student Data Impacted in Cyberattack
- Google Search: Providence Public Schools cyberattack
- ABC6: TikTok Challenge Sends Students and Teacher to Hospitals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- Rhode Island Current: Hackers Claim to Have Published Data Stolen from Providence
- Google News: Providence Public School District
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PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
